Sunday Reflection...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him..."  Romans 15:13a

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

My girlfriend recently sent me this graphic, and it was too good not to share.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

I received the Lenten Meditations below in an e-mail this week from the General Women's Ministry Director at my church denomination's headquarters.  They are too good not to share.

Fast From and Feast On

by William Arthur Ward

Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.

Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; Feast on divine order.

Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; Feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow; Feast on serenity of sunlight.

Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayers that strengthen.

William Arthur Ward [1921-1994] is one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational proverbs.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

The Apostle Paul wrote the words below to the church in Colosse [in Asia Minor], instructing them how to live as Christians.  Even though His instructions were written in the 50's A.D., they're still relevant for Christians today.  

May God help me to fulfill his instructions.  

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.   Colossians 3:12-17

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

Last Friday my son posted a 'Faith Friday' devotion on his Facebook page that I'm reposting today.

~ The Manger ~

Mangers are feeders, holding food or water for livestock.  Luke 2:7 reads, "and she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Jesus, sent to earth by His Heavenly Father, had a bed that held food and water.  

In John 6:35 Jesus declared "...I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."  In chapter 7, verse 37 He said, "...If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink."

Jesus came to feed our souls!  The metaphor and symbolism was there from the beginning when he was laid in a manger.

This Christmas Season, let's feast on the REAL meaning of His birth.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

"Only those who are truly aware of their sin can truly cherish grace." 

~ C. J. Mahoney ~

I'm so grateful God forgives original sin [inherited from Adam], and actual sin [willful transgressions against God's commands] when they're confessed to Him.  

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I John 1:9

He not only forgives us, but removes the sins that separated us from Him as far as the east is from the west!   [Psalm 103:12].   What wonderful, indescribable love!

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

My cousin recently posted this prayer on her Facebook page, and I liked it so much that I decided to use it for my Sunday Reflection.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God."  Exodus 20:8-10

There has never been a Sunday when I've gone to God's House to worship Him, that I haven't come away feeling inspired, uplifted, and strengthened for the new week ahead.  I'm so blessed to live in a country where there's freedom to worship without fear of persecution.

The Psalmist said it well:  "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  Psalm 122:1

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!... Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere..."  Psalm 84: verses 1 and 10

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

The last house my parents lived in before they moved into an assisted living apartment was on Victory Street.

What a great way to be reminded daily that "He [God] holds victory in store for the upright. He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless."  Proverbs 2:7

When I looked up the word victory in my Bible concordance I discovered a sentence that was recorded in four different places, "The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went." 

I'm not a theologian, but perhaps the reason God gave David victory everywhere he went is because of David's humility, submission, and reliance upon Him evidenced by his prayer recorded in I Chronicles 17:20. David declared, "There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you..."

Even though my residential street isn't named Victory, God's Word reminds me that no matter what situation I may encounter in life, victory is mine through Jesus Christ my Lord.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

Yesterday our nation celebrated its 239th birthday.  On July 4, 1776 the 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, and severed political connections. 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..."  [Psalm 33:12a]

[Internet Graphic]

For the Christian, July 4th and every day is 'Dependence Day', acknowledging our true freedom and help comes from our Heavenly Father, and Sovereign Lord.

In a world of financial instability, terrorism, and rampant crime, a sense of helplessness and discouragement could easily prevail, but "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  [Psalm 121:2] I wouldn't want to live a single day without God's presence in my life, and thankfully because of Jesus, I don't have to.  

You're the Lord of this nation

You're the Light in this darkness

You're the Hope to the hopeless

You're the Peace to the restless

There is no one like our God!

[Lyrics by Chris Tomlin]

May God  bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

When I was in England recently I saw two mighty fortresses - Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.  

They reminded me of David's words in Psalm 18:2  "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge."  [NIV]

Martin Luther wrote a timeless hymn conveying the same thoughts:

 "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

A mighty fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing:

Our helper He, amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and pow'r are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth is His name.

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

[Internet Photo]

Sweet hour of prayer!  Sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.

~ William B. Bradbury

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

I read an excellent devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah this week.  It was based on Psalm 34 vs. 1

"I will extol [lift up/highly praise] the Lord at all times;

His praise will always be on my lips."

David [the author of the Psalm] didn't stipulate his praise to the Lord would be limited to 'good days.'  He said, 'at all times' and 'always'.

Dr. Jeremiah's devotion ended with a quote that I wrote in the flyleaf of my Bible:  "Our lips are the barometer of the heart."

Barometers detect changes in weather conditions.  May my lips reveal praise coming from deep within my heart, whether life's conditions are fair or stormy.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

The Lenton Season began last Wednesday with what is known as 'Ash Wednesday'.

Lent is a time of soul preparation leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross on Good Friday, and culminating with the triumph of His resurrection on Easter.

The best prayer I know for Lent [or anytime] was prayed by David in Psalm 139.  I love the entire Psalm, but verses 23 and 24 are especially meaningful at this time of the year.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting."

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

The Bible tells us "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" [Romans 3:23], and "There is no one righteous; no not one" [Romans 3:10].  The good news that every saint and sinner must surrender to is this:  

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I John 1:9 [KJV]

Then the glorious promise written in Psalm 103:12 is received:  "He has removed our sins far from us as the east is from the west."  

I've never known anyone who regretted surrendering the key of their heart to Jesus.

May God bless your week!

Sunday Reflection...

May God bless your week!